Location: Operations
Project Number: 3022-32000-016-020-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jan 31, 2022
End Date: Nov 1, 2026
Objective:
The USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS)at the National Bio and Agro-defense facility (NBAF) and Cooperator agree it is mutually beneficial to maintain collaborative relationships and share resources that are needed to achieve common research objectives. The purpose of this agreement is to clarify the specific roles and responsibilities that each institution agrees to assume relative to the performance, conduct, management, and/or oversight of collaborative research activities that specifically involve the use of biohazardous materials, biological toxins, non-exempt rDNA, and/or synthetic nucleic acid molecules in accordance with ARS Policies and Procedures 602.0, titled “Institutional Biological Safety Committee” (ARS P&P 602.0). ARS and APHIS agrees to utilize the Cooperator's Institutional Biological Safety Committee (IBC) as its committee of record, to ensure compliance with the National Institutes of Health “Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules” (NIH Guidelines) and the safe conduct of research Involving biohazards and/or recombinant technology.
Approach:
This agreement would allow mutual collaborative use of facilities and services available through all parties. The Cooperator's Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) will serve as the external IBC administrator for NBAF Agriculture Research Service in Manhattan, Kansas. In accordance with the terms of this inter-institutional agreement, NBAF USDA units will accept the authority of the externally administered Cooperator's IBC.
